Moore hopes to rebound from injury

COLUMBIA, SC (TheBigSpur.com) - One freshman who has started to emerge as the season has
progressed is linebacker Skai Moore. He entered the year as the second-team
weakside linebacker behind Marcquis Roberts and that's where he still sits
entering this weekend's game against Tennessee.

Even though he hasn't leapfrogged Roberts into the starting
position, Moore has had his field repetitions increase in recent weeks and he
is pushing for tops on the depth chart. He was the team's leading tackler in
the 52-7 victory over Arkansas last Saturday but suffered a mild concussion on
the very last play of the game.

Moore hit his head trying to make a tackle on the knee of
one of his teammates. It was just another example of the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
native's drive to make every play possible regardless of the game's situation.

"You're out there giving it your all every play," Moore
said. "It's just an unfortunate thing that happened. It's just football and
things are going to happen. You just have to get through it."

Moore hasn't practiced yet this week for the Gamecocks (5-1,
3-1), which travel to Knoxville, Tenn. this weekend for the second game of a
three-game road swing to finish off the month of October.

Even though he's pushing for more playing time at the WILL
position, he knows that he has to be on the field in practice to be able to
perform up to a starter's level.

"It's always good to be prepared and get reps," Moore said.
"I don't feel like I could go out there and not practice all week and play. I
definitely need to get some reps."

Moore could return to the field for Wednesday's practice at
4:15 p.m. at the Proving Grounds. He will try to get back into the swing of
things on defense and build upon what was probably the best game of his career
last Saturday.

"I think I did pretty well," Moore said. "I executed on my
assignments, was where I was supposed to be and ran to the ball."

In six games played so far this season, Moore is fourth on
the team with 24 tackles. He has also chipped in 2.5 tackles for a loss of
yards, which includes a half sack of the quarterback.

His reps are increasing on Saturdays and that should
continue, assuming he can recover from his concussion and get back on the
practice field this week. He needs to keep advancing and pushing for that
starting position.

"Just learning the plays, really," Moore said, when asked
about where he's improved the most from the first game until now. "That and
getting adjusted to the speed and the scheme."

Moore and the Gamecocks take on Tennessee this Saturday at
noon. The game will be televised on ESPN.

(AP Photo/Gerry Broome). Texas A&amp;M's Jay Jay Chandler (0) drives against North Carolina's Luke Maye (32) during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, March 18, 2018.

T.J. Starks had 21 points and Texas A&M overpowered North Carolina inside, upsetting the reigning national champions 86-65 Sunday in the NCAA Tournament to mark the second straight year a title holder missed the...

T.J. Starks had 21 points and Texas A&M overpowered North Carolina inside, upsetting the reigning national champions 86-65 Sunday in the NCAA Tournament to mark the second straight year a title holder missed the Sweet 16.

(AP Photo/Denis Poroy). Clemson forward Elijah Thomas, front, celebrates a basket with forward David Skara during the first half of a second-round NCAA men's college basketball tournament game against Auburn on Sunday, March 18, 2018, in San Diego.

Gabe DeVoe scored 22 points and Elijah Thomas had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Clemson, which closed the first half with a 25-4 run that helped it beat cold-shooting Auburn 84-53 and advance to the Midwest Region...

Gabe DeVoe scored 22 points and Elijah Thomas had 18 points and 11 rebounds for Clemson, which closed the first half with a 25-4 run that helped it beat cold-shooting Auburn 84-53 and advance to the Midwest Region semifinal.

(AP Photo/Wade Payne). Oregon State center Marie Gulich, left, knocks the ball away Tennessee center Mercedes Russell, right, in the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 18, 2018, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee lost for the first time at home in women's NCAA Tournament history when Marie Gulich had 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead sixth-seeded Oregon State to a 66-59 win.

Tennessee lost for the first time at home in women's NCAA Tournament history when Marie Gulich had 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead sixth-seeded Oregon State to a 66-59 win.

(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez). Tennessee guard James Daniel III (3) attempts a steal against Loyola-Chicago guard Clayton Custer (13), who maintained control of the ball during the first half of a second-round game at the NCAA men's college basketball tour...

Another NCAA Tournament pray answered for Loyola-Chicago, and the Ramblers are set to bring Sister Jean to the Sweet 16. Clayton Custer's jumper took a friendly bounce off the rim and in with 3.6 seconds left, and...

Another NCAA Tournament pray answered for Loyola-Chicago, and the Ramblers are set to bring Sister Jean to the Sweet 16. Clayton Custer's jumper took a friendly bounce off the rim and in with 3.6 seconds left, and 11th-seeded Loyola beat Tennessee.

(AP Photo/Otto Kitsinger). Kentucky guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22) drives against Buffalo guard CJ Massinburg (5) during the first half of a second-round game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament Saturday, March 17, 2018, in Boise, Idaho.